The second booster is tested under ascent to determine its viability as a second stage engine
As the first mission of a new vehicle, this dispatch includes all the design and development leading up to launch. To skip to the launch, click here.
Kerbal Space Agency
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one week until ops begin! First full meeting of department heads held onsite today. Simon doesn't like sitting down
Kerbal Space Agency
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great day for employee orientation! Here's the main KSC causeway kerbs will be arriving from. Welcome, everyone 🙂
Kerbal Space Agency
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the time has come at last - it is Day One of KSA operations; our staff are all pretty much settled in and ready to get going. Exciting!
Kerbal Space Agency
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and we're going to kick things right off with our Progenitor Program announcement - bit.ly/ProgenitorPR1
Kerbal Space Agency
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the Progeny Mk1 final design review is unfortunately behind schedule but we expect approval by the end of the week according to Drew & Simon
Kerbal Space Agency
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who are Drew & Simon you ask? Find out and meet the rest of our talented staff leaders here at the KSA - bit.ly/KSA-Staff
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
never fear, the rocket launches will be coming soon - word is that Progeny Mk1 design approval will definitely be coming tomorrow!
Kerbal Space Agency
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Drew, Simon and Wernher have all gathered in the main meeting room at R&D to go over the final Progeny Mk1 design. Expecting news this AM
Kerbal Space Agency
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2nd sunrise is here, deliberations continue within the R&D building, seen here with the VAB & tracking station
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
final design approval for the Progeny Mk1 craft are in! Looking forward to seeing these rockets take flight next wk
Kerbal Space Agency
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you can find a full-size blueprint and more information at our updated press release for the Progenitor program: bit.ly/ProgenitorPR1
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
rocket parts are all stacked from yesterday and ready to start assembly today! And all this is only the big stuff
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
what's the easiest way to test a parachute? Toss it off the top of the VAB, of course. Payload landed intact. Nice!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
the first media team from KNN was granted access to our campus today, expect a report w/staff & crew interviews on the evening news!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it's looking like our first launch from KSC won't be a rocket. To test Progenitor payload instruments we've partnered up with KerBalloons
Kerbal Space Agency
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Wernher & Cheranne have 2 payload instruments to test, don't want to wait for Progeny Mk2. More details here: bit.ly/KerBalloonPR
Kerbal Space Agency
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KerBalloon probe will use several existing parts from the Progeny Mk1 rockets - hopefully we can re-use them after!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
everything except the batteries can be re-used if recovered intact. The batteries we'll have to order more of now. They are not rechargeable
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/ProgenyMk1-B1 assembly & launches(?) will be next wk while the Mk1-A flight data is fully analyzed. Maybe some video posted on Mon
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
getting pestered by media to be allowed on campus for rocket launches, but we declined. It is a safety issue & we have enough to worry about
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
science data from the KerBalloon probe has been fully analyzed and both instruments performed as designed. Will be rocket payloads someday
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we spoke about regular weather before but it seems to be staying hotter throughout the night and into the day. A/C units are being taxed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
our first full week of operations was very packed, here are the highlights - bit.ly/OpsSummary9-19…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
shutting down non-essential systems across the campus to reduce power use so A/C systems can be cranked. Weird, unexpected weather this is
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
good thing this heat wave is striking over the weekend - most of KSC shut down so power aplenty to direct to keeping things cool until Mon
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
hopefully the heat breaks tomorrow, or we won't have enough power to run full ops at KSC during the daylight hours. That would be annoying!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
today looks to be a slogfest. The earlier day cycle remained oppressively hot. Now w/ sun down we can get a few hrs work in - still hot
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
temps back on the rise - break time. Our power lines can't handle the amperage needed to keep all systems cool under these conditions
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
well, in between daytime hrs Simon & crew have managed to get the first Mk1-B parts staged. Here's what's left of our available rocket parts
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
tomorrow, temperatures permitting, Simon & crew will begin constructing the first Mk1-B & some Mk1-A data can finish being fully analyzed
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
temps seemed to stabilize back towards normal over the last kerbolar cycle. We'll see what sunrise brings in a few hours. Fingers crossed!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
temps are back in their normal range for this time of day - *phew* that was a scorcher. Meteorologists still digging thru data from weekend
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Mk1-B assembly going well now that crews don't have to break every few hours. Very similar to MK1-A so going quick
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Simon says he expects integration testing to begin tomorrow, with 2nd rocket being constructed/tested over Thurs/Fri for launches next week
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Simon reports bit.ly/ProgenyMk1-B1 has completed initial assembly & they are diving right into integration testing, hope to finish today
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Simon & crew won't pull OT to complete Mk1-B integration testing today - he says "no rush, no mistakes" we think that's a good sentiment
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
VAB is already in high gear, wrapping up integration testing for the 1st Mk1-B so work can begin on the 2nd - assuming everything checks out
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
bit.ly/ProgenyMk1-B1 is good to go & Simon is confident they can get the 2nd one fully assembled today. Launch on Tues? Possibly!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we're still unsure what caused the signal noise detected in last week's launches, but we do plan to investigate further w/Mk1-B launches
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
great day - bit.ly/ProgenyMk1-B2 has been completed. VAB crew really getting dialed in. Tuesday L-0 times locked in: 15:45 & 21:45 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
MK1-B integration testing wrapping up today. Why launch on Tue? Turns out Lanalye is a bit superstitous & doesn't like launching 1st workday
Kerbal Space Agency
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we hope everyone has a great weekend! Here's what you may have missed this past week: bit.ly/OpsSummary9-26…
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
a full morning of launch drills is underway as Flight Director Lanalye gets everyone ready for action tomorrow. To stations!
Kerbal Space Agency
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warning horn just sounded. Only a drill for this morning's exercises. We don't anticipate any Mk1-Bs heading for KSC bldgs but u never know
Kerbal Space Agency
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there's a bucket brigade out to the launchpad simulating a booster explosion fire. Beedo! Beedoo! Beedoo! Beedoo! Beedoo!
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
morning drills were all carried out successfully. This afternoon will see review of performance & final launch readiness checks for tomorrow
Kerbal Space Agency
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VAB is off shift this afternoon so we snagged a pic of the two Mk1-Bs sitting around ready to be carried out tomorrow. They look magnificent
Kerbal Space Agency
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all teams ready for launch tomorrow, reports Lanalye. Now, we just have to keep an eye on those dark clouds gathering out over the water...
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Launch day! Who's excited? We are! The launch clock now stands at L-3hrs and here's the timeline moving forward
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
it did rain over the previous day cycle but Wx reports that clouds appear to be clearing & have given the okay for rocket mounting
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
Lanalye has all her controllers present & accounted for. Briefing has already begun. Launch control bldg access revoked until after launch
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
mounting operations were successful and launch control has good hardline & remote comms with the rocket, now starting into preflight
Kerbal Space Agency
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tracking station reports ready to receive Mk1-B telemetry signal, will also monitor closely for signal interference on multiple frequencies
Kerbal Space Agency
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crews are packing up their worklights and equipment and clearing the pad so we can test continuity to ignition & engine systems
Kerbal Space Agency
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preflight complete, time for a Wx check! Looks good? Not really. We will hold count for clearer skies for better visual launch observations
Kerbal Space Agency
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we have reset the launch time to 16:30 UTC - will recheck weather at 16:10 UTC. Good visual observation conditions, fewer clouds, required
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
we are GO to continue countdown! Clouds have cleared enough to satisfy Wx officer and we are back on track for launch @ 16:30 UTC
Kerbal Space Agency
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L-5min: Final checks! Launch ctrl is GO. Tracking station is GO. Wx is GO. Range safety is GO. Progeny Mk1-B is GO. Flight is GO!
Kerbal Space Agency
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L-2min: reminder that this will all happen fast, even faster than the Mk1-A flights so will report back after chute deployment is confirmed
Kerbal Space Agency
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we have had a successful launch and chute deploy! Payload is descending slowly, currently 250m above the ground. Recovery crews heading out
Kerbal Space Agency
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payload touchdown looked good from launch control - no smoke or explosions. Still awaiting confirmation from the recovery team
Kerbal Space Agency
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success! Payload & booster are both intact, booster is damaged as expected. Both fell around 300m northeast of the pad
Kerbal Space Agency
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and the crowds go wild 🙂 We're looking forward to doing it again later today!
Kerbal Space Agency
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payload & booster are on their way back for analysis later this week & now we have a break for food & rest before launch #2 @ 21:45 UTC!
Kerbal Space Agency
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POP goes the chute! Cheers in launch control. Another successful launch! Recovery prospects looking good too as the payload descends slowly
Kerbal Space Agency
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Great work to all the teams today! We'll have more news on future Progenitor missions after some data analysis over the next few days
Kerbal Space Agency
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late start to the day to make up for overtime yesterday. Flight analysis begins of the two Mk1-B flights and we have ALL THE DATA this time
Kerbal Space Agency
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launch photo of Progeny Mk1-B1 from yesterday, barely past 1s after ignition. Video of Mk1-B2 flight will be posted sometime tomorrow or Fri
Kerbal Space Agency
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we hear the KSC grounds keepers are grumbling about the mess we're making of the lawn around the launchpad - mainly the boosters "landing"
Kerbal Space Agency
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tracking station reports that initial analysis shows they did indeed intercept some sort of signal interference during the Mk1-B launches
Kerbal Space Agency
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studies of the signal are ongoing, helped now by greater frequency range data collected during these last two launches
Kerbal Space Agency
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time to check out all that's transpired this past week. Missed anything? We got you covered 🙂 Good weekend to all! bit.ly/OpsSummary10-3…
Kerbal Space Agency
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Progenitor Program engineers say they expect the full Progeny Mk1-B flight analysis to be released with our weekly ops review on Friday
Kerbal Space Agency
@KSA_MissionCtrl
catch up on new developments this past week in our Weekly Ops Summary - bit.ly/OpsSummary10-1…. have a great weekend everyone!
